Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “shame

Awareness of Possibilities

Marty Gabler—Previous restrictions are being removed and our awareness of possibilities and solutions for our family, nation and future will increase. Our awareness will increase so that we may participate and lead in the resolve of issues. Isa.54 is a great place to start the month of February and 2025.
3-“For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left.And your descendants will possess nations And will resettle the desolate cities.
4-“Fear not, for you will not be put to shame;  And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced;  But you will forget the shame of your youth,  And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. (Isa.54:3-4, NASB)
“YOUTH”: when things were attempted but nothing was accomplished; this doesn’t necessarily refer to biological age but to the early attempts we made at what we thought was purpose. Also refers to untimely words, foolish actions and decisions.
“WIDOWHOOD”: unproductive, unfruitful time; a widow did not bare children or increase family, but was known for suffering loss.
We will not be disgraced for we will not remember the shame and reproach and will therefore look for progress and victories through God’s grace.
DECLARE: “My awareness of possibilities and solutions is increasing and I will break out on the right and on the left and will not fear because I will no longer remember any shame.”


Repentance Ushers in Release

Kathy Gabler– Repentance ushers in release and change for everyone. One reason we avoid it is shame locks us down. The fact that we need to think differently and change feels like an indictment against our self-image or even worse, against our Christianity. That’s the deception of shame in action. The truth is that repentance brings healthy changes and change is part of the process of maturing and overcoming.  2Co.7:10, TPT — “God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death.”


Feeling Like a Victim

Kathy — We don’t know when or why Saul decided that he was “all that and a sack of chips,” but we do know that pride will breach character. Perhaps being head and shoulders above everyone else made him feel superior. On perhaps, the other extreme, his fear of the people (1 Sam 15:24) was a sign of inferior feelings and deep insecurities, and pride became his antidote. Whatever his path to pride, it became his path to downfall. The word warns that pride comes before a fall and I think it is safe to say that big pride comes VictimShameBowHeadbefore a big fall. King Saul did not fear God and pride was his door to destruction.

Sometimes we forget that we are made in the image of our Creator God. So when we create our own monsters and our own downfall, we transfer the credit to God, the devil or someone else. That way we feel like a victim instead of a perpetrator. The problem is that if we are victims, we ignore our need to repent. Instead of changing, we sit in the ruins expecting God to do what we will not do ourselves. Saul could not find someone else to blame for the breaches of his soul and character, and neither can we. 

In the last half of this year, may we fear God and humble ourselves before Him that we will have the godly character to cooperate and not hinder His intent and instructions. May the rest of this year be marked by sons willingly participating in the changes necessary to see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
(Kathy will be speaking at Dreams Visions Prophecy Conference Sept.10-12, 2021 at Grace Church Willis.)


Repentance, Release and Change

Kathy — Repentance ushers in release and change for everyone. One reason we holding headavoid it is shame locks us down. The fact that we need to think differently and change feels like an indictment against our self-image or even worse, against our Christianity. That’s the deception of shame in action. The truth is that repentance brings healthy changes and change is part of the process of maturing and overcoming.  2Co.7:10, TPT — “God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death.”